The list of best hill stations can’t be complete without including Manali. Set at an elevation of 2050 meters, Manali is a dreamy destination for those who love captivating views, enchanting villages, adventurous sports, crisp weather, running streams, magical waterfalls and idyllic cottages. Manali has everything that you could ever ask a tourist and that’s the reason you need a perfect itinerary to make your Manali trip memorable. And here we’ve compiled a 3-day Manali itinerary including the best places to stay so you can have the best time of your life in Manali. Do check out our Ultimate Manali Itinerary –
Best Time To Visit Manali
The weather in Manali stays pleasant throughout the year which means Manali is a year-round destination. However, November to April is the best time to visit Manali. From December to February, you can enjoy all kinds of snow activities in Manali while during March and April, you can enjoy the lush green beauty.
How To Reach Manali
- By Road: Manali is well connected to major cities in North India by road. You can take a bus or hire a taxi from Delhi, Chandigarh, or Shimla to reach Manali. The journey from Delhi to Manali takes around 12-14 hours, and the roads can be challenging, especially during the winter months. However, the scenic beauty of the hills and valleys makes the journey worthwhile.
- By Train: The nearest railway station to Manali is Jogindernagar, which is around 50 kilometers away from the town. However, the railway station is not well connected to major cities, and the frequency of trains is low. The best option is to take a train to Chandigarh or Pathankot, which are well-connected to major cities, and then take a taxi or bus to reach Manali.
- By Flight: The nearest airport to Manali is Bhuntar Airport, which is around 50 kilometers away from the town. The airport is well-connected to major cities in India, and several airlines operate regular flights to Bhuntar. Once you reach the airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach Manali.
How Many Days Would Be Enough For Manali?
A minimum of 3 days would be needed to enjoy the beauty of Manali to some extent. But if you have 4 or 5 days then it would be great as there are many beautiful places near Manali which are worth visiting. So, a week’s trip to Manali would be the best way to explore the real beauty of this hill station.
Manali Itineray For 3 Days
- Day 1 – Old Manali -> Hadimba Devi Temple -> Manu Temple -> Tibetan Monastery -> Beas River
- Day 2 – Vashisht Temple & Hot Water Spring -> Jogini Falls -> Anjani Mahadeb Temple -> Solang Valley -> Mall Road
- Day 3 – Day trip To Sethan
- Day 4 – Day trip to Rohtang Pass, Sissu and Atal Tunnel
- Day 5 – Day trip to Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara and Bijli Mahadev Temple
Day 1 Manali
Old Manali
Manali is divided into 2 parts – New Manali and Old Manali. Located 2.5 KM uphill from Mall Road, Old Manali is a serene part of Manali. It is cleaner, more peaceful and less crowded as compared to New Manali. Therefore, Old Manali is vastly preferred by solo travelers and those who looking to seek mental peace. The sunrise & sunsets are intoxicating so be ready with your camera.
Sandwiched between the apple orchards, hills and beas river, Old Manali is known for the Hadimba Devi temple.
- Things to do – Cafe hopping, hiking. visit Hadimba Devi Temple, and watch soothing sunrise and sunsets.
Hadimba Devi Temple
Hadimba Devi temple is one of the best places to visit in Manali. This 400-year-old temple is the best example of great ancient Indian architecture. The temple is a four-story wooden structure with a pagoda-style roof, intricately carved wooden doors, and walls adorned with brass sculptures and frescoes. It is dedicated to the goddess Hadimba Devi, the wife of Bhima who was one of the Pandavas in Mahabharata.
Just behind the temple, there is Manali wildlife sanctuary where you can explore the pristine beauty of the cedar forest. It is a great place to spend quality time in the lap of nature.
- Things to do – Visit Manali Wildlife sanctuary, buy traditional Himachali items, click picture in the traditional Himachal attire which are available outside the temple and admire the amazing architectural beauty of the temple.
Himalayan Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple
Situated amidst the picturesque hills of Manali, the Himalaya Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple is a must-visit place for those seeking a peaceful and spiritual experience in Manali. Just a walking distance from Mall road, the temple is a three-story structure with a traditional pagoda-style roof, adorned with colorful Buddhist prayer flags. The temple’s serene surroundings, traditional Buddhist architecture, and regular teachings and meditation sessions make it an ideal place for spiritual seekers and those interested in learning more about Tibetan Buddhism.
- Timing – 7 AM to 7 PM
- Things to do – Relaxation, meditation, shopping, and observing the Buddhist monks offering prayers & doing their daily household work.
Manu Temple
Located 3 KM from Mall Road, Manu Temple is the only temple dedicated to sage Manu. The name Manali derived from the sage Manu who meditated here regularly. The temple is a beautiful wooden structure with pagoda-style roofs, intricately carved wooden doors, and walls adorned with brass sculptures and frescoes. The temple’s unique design is a blend of traditional Himachali and Tibetan architectural styles.
To reach the temple you need to cross a narrow road which is quite adventurous in itself. Along with adventure the serenity of the temple takes you one step closer to nature and makes you feel that the beauty of nature is magical. The fresh breeze passing through the Himalayas will heal all your weariness and gives you inner mental peace.
- Timing – 6 AM to 7 PM
- Things to do – Shopping, photography and offering prayers & seeking blessings.
Beas River
The lifeline of Manali, the Beas river is one of the major tourist attractions in Manali. It is renowned for its natural beauty, adventurous activities, serene landscape, and surrounding snow-capped mountains.
The Beas River originates from the Beas Kund, which is located in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas and flows through the Kullu Valley before entering the Sutlej River in Punjab.
The river’s banks are lined with lush green forests, providing a perfect place for nature lovers to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. The river is home to several species of fish, including trout, mahseer, and catfish. Fishing permits can be obtained from the local authorities, and visitors can enjoy a peaceful and relaxing day by the river, trying to catch their favorite fish.
- Things to do – Relaxation, fishing, river rafting, walking, photography and kayaking.
Day 2 In Manali
Vashisht Temple & Hot Water Spring
Start your day 2 in Manali with the blessing of sage Vashisht at Vashisht temple. Located 17 KM from Mall Road, Vashisht temple is famous for its serene surroundings and hot water spring. The Vashisht Temple and Hot Water Springs are named after the legendary sage Vashisht, who is believed to have meditated in the area.
The springs are located just a few steps away from the temple, and the water temperature is around 70 degrees Celsius. The water is believed to have therapeutic properties and is said to cure several ailments like rheumatism, skin diseases, and even paralysis. The hot water is channelized into several bathing tanks, and visitors can take a dip in the warm waters and experience the therapeutic effects.
Visitors from all over the world come to Vashisht to experience the therapeutic effects of the hot water springs and to explore the temples and the charming Vashisht village.
Things to do
- Admire the beautiful surroundings of Vashisht village.
- Take a hot water bath in hot water spring.
- Seek blessing to sage Vashisht.
- Trek to Manali’s most beautiful falls, Jogini falls.
Trek To Jogini Falls
Jogini Falls is the most beautiful waterfall in Himachal. It is a 3-tier waterfall and each one has its own charm and beauty. But the best part of this waterfall is its trek which traverses through the villages, apple orchards, jungle, river crossing, wooden bridge and shops. It is a 3 KM trek starting from Vashisht temple. To complete the trek you would need around 2 hours of time.
The first 2 falls are located near to each other while the top one is situated 20 min uphill trek from the 2nd one. The topmost waterfall is the most scenic and adventurous so don’t forget to visit it.
Visit Anjani Mahadev Temple
After exploring the magical beauty of Jogini falls now it’s time to embrace the magic of Anjani Mahadev Temple. Situated near to Solang Valley, Anjani Mahadev temple is an offbeat place to visit in Manali. This temple is famous for the linga of Shiva which is continuously showered by the natural waterfall. And if you’re visiting in winter then the linga gets covered by snow so much that it looks like Amarnath Linga.
To reach the temple you need to take a 2 KM trek from the main road. The trek is very easy even beginners can do this easily. This 2 KM trek is filled with natural beauty and surrounded by the many waterfalls on both sides. This 2 KM journey is so beautiful that you’ll forget all the problems and immerse yourself in its beauty.
- Location – Solang Valley Road, Burwa.
Solang Valley
Your Manali trip can’t be complete without visiting the Solang Valley. Due to the availability of various kinds of activities, it is renowned as the adventure hub of Manali. There you can easily spend a day and still, you left with much more. So, if you have extra time then you can extend your trip to Solang to the next day as well.
- Things to do – Paragliding, zorbing, camping, zip lining, cable car ride, ATV bike ride, snowboarding, snow scooter riding, trekking and hiking.
Roam around Mall Road
End your day 2 in Manali with the vibrant beauty of Mall Road. Roaming around the streets, having the best food in Manali and shopping the traditional Himachali items on Mall road is the best thing you can do in Manali after sunset. Mall Road is home to all important buildings of Manali like hospitals, banks, ATMs, clothing stores and food stalls.
Day 3 In Manali
Day Trip To Sethan
After exploring the local attractions of Manali now it’s time to visit the nearby locations and on Day 3 we’re going to explore the beauty of Sethan. Perched at an elevation of 2700 meters above sea level, Sethan is a beautiful village located 14 KM from Manali. Away from the noisiness of the main city, Sethan is a secluded place to spend a day in peace close to nature. However, to entertain you there are various kinds of activities available like skiing, trekking, hiking, snowboarding, bouldering, night camping, and watching the magical milky way.
To stay in Sethan there is a unique and interesting option named Igloo stay. Staying inside these snow-made houses would be a lifetime experience. And if you’re traveling in summer then glamping is another interesting option to stay in Sethan. There are various vendors in Sethan who provides you with the perfect camping experience with all kinds of luxury that you could ever ask for. Staying in these high tents and capturing the stunning beauty of the Milky way, attracts thousands of visitors every year.
- Things to do in Sethan – Glamping, skiing, staying in Igloo, bouldering, visiting Pandu ropa cave & lake, trek to Indrasan peak and exploring the hidden waterfall.
Where To Stay In Manali?
Being a premium hill station of the country, Manali has a number of options for stay; From budget guesthouses to luxury resorts, from riverside campsites to glamping in Sethan and from peaceful hostels of Old Manali to vibrant hotels of Mall road. Here we listed some of the best-staying options in Manali –
| Hotel Name | Booking Info |
| Club Mahindra White Meadows | 8400 INR Book Now |
| Echor Himalayan Heights | 2600 INR Book Now |
| Zostel Manali | 740 INR Book Now |
| Glampeco Sethan | 8250 INR Book Now |
| Orchard Greens Resort | 2210 INR Book Now |
| The Hosteller Manali | 815 INR Book Now |
| Sky Garden Manali Camp | 639 INR Book Now |
| OYO 36903 Retro Valley Camping Resort | 1580 INR Book Now |
| Himtrek RiverSide Camps & Hostel | 540 INR Book Now |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Rohtang Pass throughout the year?
No, Rohtang Pass is closed from November to May due to heavy snowfall. It’s advisable to visit Rohtang Pass between June to October.
Is it safe to visit Manali during the monsoon season?
While Manali is beautiful during the monsoon season, it’s advisable to avoid traveling during heavy rains as landslides and roadblocks are common. It’s better to plan your trip during the summer or winter season.
Can I find vegetarian food options in Manali?
Yes, Manali offers a variety of vegetarian food options, including local cuisine and international cuisine. You can find several vegetarian restaurants and cafes in and around the town.
Is it necessary to book accommodation in advance?
It’s recommended to book accommodation in advance, especially during peak season, to avoid any last-minute hassles. You can find a range of accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, and homestays, in Manali.